DRUG BUSTS

More Street 'Sweeps' In The Offing?

The statewide operation to round up drug dealers begun Thursday by the
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) is a welcome action by a too-dormant
agency.

MBN's new director, Don Strange, admits that the bureau has some fences to
mend around the state in cooperating with local law enforcement. And this
is a great way to start.

In the past, MBN has been seen as something of a loner in drug-fighting.
That hasn't been helped by understaffing.

But with a new director committed to working with counties and with the
2000 Legislature having authorized the hiring of more agents, problems
could quickly improve.

In rural areas, where sheriffs are overwhelmed by the drug problem, extra
manpower can really make a difference.

In the metro area, it is vitally important both to fighting crime and to
fighting the perception of crime that regular sweeps of street dealers take
place.

Statewide, Strange is taking a regional approach toward targeting drug dealers.

In the metro area, at least 20 of 30 new agents being hired will be
assigned to the Jackson District Office.

The opportunity exists for a major offensive against illegal drug sales
across Mississippi. And that could have a domino effect on reducing the
crime rate in general.

Drug abuse fuels any number of crimes, from burglaries, thefts and
prostitution by addicts trying to raise cash to feed their habits to
shootings, homicides and street-gang formation associated with sale and
distribution of drugs.

However, increased enforcement will put strains on the judicial system that
must be resolved. The more effective the state is in arresting drug
dealers, the less effective it may be in meting out punishment.

The next step in this drug enforcement effort is up to the Legislature. It
must create a statewide system of drug courts.

The state must provide more sentencing options so that those who commit
serious crimes will be imprisoned and those who need treatment can be
diverted from criminality.

That is not an issue that law enforcement agencies should have to deal
with, though. Finding and arresting drug dealers is challenging enough.